Michael Lynton first studio executive to get Hasty Pudding award

Sony Pictures Chairman Michael Lynton is the first Hollywood executive to be honored by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Institute.

The 242-year-old group is giving Lynton its first-ever "Order of the Golden Sphinx" for his work supporting philanthropy and arts education during his long career in the media business, including stints at Walt Disney Co., Time Warner and AOL, before taking the reins of Sony in 2004.

Lynton received his B.A. and M.B.A. from Harvard.

Previously, Hasty Pudding has given man and woman of the year awards to such performers as Jimmy Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor and Bob Hope. Last year's recipients were Claire Danes and Jason Segel.

A philanthropic society devoted to arts and education, Hasty Pudding is well-known for producing a farcical musical every year at Harvard. Its exclusive social club is the oldest in the United States and boasts five U.S. presidents as members.